Brandon Weatherz: One more day with snow showers

Our Thursday begins with areas of snow showers, some of which are heavy with brief periods of very poor visibility and quick accumulation. Be ready to have conditions change quickly on you on the roads. Narrow bands of heavy snow have set up, bringing localized accumulation. 3″ was observed in Washburn, WI between 7:45 and 9:15 am. These snow showers will persist in the region through the afternoon. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for South St. Louis, Carlton, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron Co. until 6 pm. Winds are still a contender today, sustained near 20 mph and gusting around 35 mph out of the west and reducing visibility where snow is falling. Winds will improve this evening and tonight. Skies begin overcast, then high pressure moving in from the southwest will allow clouds to break up this evening and tonight.

Keeping in mind an average high in Duluth of 45 for today, it’ll still be unseasonably cool with highs in upper 20s to mid-30s across the Northland. We fall to single digits and teens tonight for a cool start to our Friday. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of a warming trend with highs reaching upper 30s to low 40s away from Lake Superior. An east wind will keep temperatures along the shorelines in the low and mid-30s. We’re now at the point of the year where an east wind can make quite the difference in temps, especially as the cold lake contrasts with warmer air moving into the region.

We’re on track to trend above average starting Sunday and taking us through next week. As of now, Saturday will feature an east wind and “cooler by the lake” conditions, but the rest of the forecast will feature a southwest wind with the cooler conditions being limited along the North Shore in Cook County. By Tuesday, widespread highs will top off in the 60s. Considering the snow pack that is still out there, this warm stretch will allow for plenty of snowmelt, enhanced runoff, and possibly, localized flooding as creeks and rivers rise.

Today: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a few snow showers possible. High 32. W wind 15-25 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 12. NW wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. High 35. E wind 5-15 mph.

Tomorrow night: Partly cloudy. Low 23. E wind 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High 42. E wind 10-15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a few rain showers in the afternoon. High 52. SSW wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 30%

Monday: Mostly sunny. High 56. WSW wind 5-10 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, warm and breezy. High 64. SW wind 10-15 mph.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 57. SW wind 5-10 mph.